Kevin Richert
Episode 38: The state of the Idaho Democratic Party
The Idaho Democratic Party is in transition heading into the election year. The party is searching for a new chairperson. And the party is still looking for candidates for several prominent offices, including superintendent of public instruction. What are the Democrats’ prospects this year — and is there a template for the party in Idaho?…
Analysis: How Season 2022 of the Legislature will end (spoiler alert)
A record-shattering surplus sets high expectations for education spending and tax relief. No one is going to walk away completely satisfied.
Election Notes: Jan. 17-21, 2022
1.18.22: Rognstad predicts ‘bidding war of crazy ideas’ at Statehouse In a fundraising video, Sandpoint mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shelby Rognstad blasted GOP incumbent Brad Little’s rosy State of the State message last week. The three-minute video was short on details but sharp in tone. Rognstad predicted Little and the Legislature will spend the…
Idaho’s week of grim coronavirus records, by the numbers
New cases soared to a pandemic peak. Case numbers skyrocketed in several school districts, such as Boise and West Ada, and surged at Boise State University and Idaho State University. The state’s positive test rate also set a record.
Sherri Ybarra’s budget hearing: a listener’s guide
The state superintendent will be before the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Monday morning.
Episode 37: A conversation with Tom Luna
Last week, Idaho Republican Party leaders rejected two hot-button resolutions. The first would have required candidates to receive a party central committee’s endorsement before their names could appear on a GOP ballot. The second sought to remove former Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General Jim Jones from the Idaho GOP Hall of Fame. What do…
Analysis: The omicron legislative session could get worse before it gets better
On Wednesday, two lawmakers reported testing positive for coronavirus. “At this point, I see no reason to stop our process,” House Speaker Scott Bedke said Thursday.
Election Notes: Jan. 10-14, 2022
1.12.22: Democratic Party chair to step down, citing health issues State Democratic Party head Fred Cornforth will step down this week. “I am facing a medical condition that will preempt me from functioning as chair of the Idaho Democratic Party,” Cornforth said in a statement Wednesday. His resignation, effective Saturday, leaves Democrats looking for a…
Analysis: Little steps into an election by tiptoeing a fine line
On Monday, Gov. Brad Little set high expectations for what he wants to do with a historic surplus, while seeking to appease the conservative base that often decides Republican primaries. Yes, this is an election year.
Omicron fuels a coronavirus surge, and some Idaho schools are already seeing spikes
The Blaine County and West Ada school districts each reported more than 100 active cases. Boise State University is reporting a peak in cases, ahead of spring semester.